Which Grass Seeds Die in the Winter?
Cultivating your own lawn grass is an ideal alternative for those homeowners that do not wish to simply settle for the grass that already naturally grows around their home. Depending on a number of different factors, some seeds may need to be planted during cold winter weather for healthy germination. In these cases, it is important for the health of your lawn to avoid species that are likely to be damaged by cold temperatures. Does this Spark an idea?
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Centipedegrass
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Centipedegrass is a popular turfgrass known for its shade tolerance and low-maintenance cultivation. But centipedegrass is also one of the most cold-sensitive species of grass that can be grown from seed. Any centipedegrass seeds grown in areas where winter temperatures dip to 0 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit or lower are likely to not survive the germination process. If you live in such a climate and still want to grow centipedegrass, look for TifBlair, Oklawn and Tennessee Hardy varieties, as they tend to be much more cold-tolerant than other centipedegrass cultivars.
Bermudagrass
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Bermudagrass is another popular, yet highly cold-intolerant species of turfgrass. Just like centipedegrass, homeowners should not try and cultivate Bermudagrass seed in areas where winter temperatures dip to 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Bermudagrass is known as one of the most heat-tolerant trufgrass species, however, making it an ideal candidate for warm climates with mild winters.
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St. Augustinegrass
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St. Augustinegrass is often thought to be the most cold-intolerant of all common grass species. St. Augustinegrass seeds can suffer winter injury in winter temperatures as high as 15 degrees Fahrenheit, which explains this grass's popularity in particularly warm climates such as those that occur around the Gulf Coast. Again, cultivar selection has a bearing on cold tolerance; Raleigh, Palmetto and Delmar cultivars are more cold-tolerant than common, and Seville cultivars, which are less cold tolerant.
Remarks on Cultivar Selection
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Bermudagrass and centipedegrass are known for their cold intolerance, but in fact, any species of grass has a range of cultivars, some of which are more cold tolerant than others. Botanists and nurseries offer varieties of popular turfgrasses such as Kentucky bluegrass and St. Augustinegrass that have been developed specifically for their tolerance to diverse climates. Therefore taking the extra time to browse the cultivar options that are offered by local nurseries can go a long way in helping you healthily germinate your lawn grass seeds regardless of climatic changes.
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